Card with removable, reusable element

ABSTRACT

A transactional control system, a promotional system, and a redemption system including a set of a card and a removable and reusable label. The removable and reusable label having a first side printed with indicia thereon, and a second side coated with a reusable adhesive layer suitable for affixing the label to either a first or a second planar side of the card. The label, printed with a registration indicia thereon, can be removed from the transaction card without leaving residue on the card and can be affixed to a registration form for registration of a holder of the transaction card. Alternatively, the label printed with a redeemable coupon indicia thereon, can be removed from a promotion card and affixed to a transaction receipt for associating a particular transaction with the redeemable coupon. In another embodiment the label is printed and scored to form individually removable segments which can be removed from the redemption card and redeemed.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/425,317 Oct. 21, 1999U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,870 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/671,714Jun. 28, 1996 U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,042 which is a continuation of Ser.No. 08/411,382 Mar. 28, 1995 U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,482 which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 08/119,871 Sep. 10, 1993 abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a transactional control system and, in aparticular embodiment, to the combination of a transaction card and alabel which is affixed to the transaction card via a reusable adhesive,wherein the label can be removed from the transaction card and reusedwithout leaving a residue or sticky surface on the transaction card.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A substantial market has developed in recent years for inexpensivelymanufactured, individually encoded, transaction cards for uses such ascredit and debit cards, membership cards, promotional cards (i.e.frequent flyer cards), I.D. cards, and the like. Such transaction cardscommonly bear a registration code in a bar code format to permitautomatic machine scanning of the card, an alphanumeric code, or both.Such cards may be supplied as a set with one or more labels adjoiningthe card and bearing the same individual code number as the card. Thelabels are adapted for attachment to application forms, membership listsand the like.

One problem with the above system is that the manufacturing process toprovide such sets takes many steps. For example, one process known inthe art is a multiple step process in which individual sheets ofuniquely encoded transaction cards, and labels with the same uniquecodes as the cards, are printed separately. Subsequently the labels withappropriate codes are attached to each sheet adjoining the like-codedcards. Thus, the process requires several labor intensive stepsincluding identifying the appropriate label, applying the label to thesheet to properly adjoin the associated card, and checking the finalproduct for accuracy. In addition, because the transaction card andlabels must be printed separately, if the same printer is used to printthe transaction card and the labels, more printing time is required.Alternatively, several printers must be used to simultaneously print thecards and labels.

Still another manufacturing process known in the art is attaching thecard and label to the application form prior to printing of the card orthe label, thus requiring the carrier with the card and label attachedto be passed through a printer to provide the set of the carrier, thecard and the label. A problem with this method of manufacturing is thatan additional printing step is required after the card and label havebeen attached to the pre-printed application form. In addition, thereare additional costs associated with attaching the label and card to theapplication form.

Warther et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,146) disclosed a sheet including aplurality of sets of code fields printed on a first planar side of thesheet, each set of code fields being printed with a numeric code uniqueto the set. A first field is printed in at least a bar code format, anda second field is printed in at least a numeral format and is spacedfrom the first code field on the first planar side of the sheet. A layerof adhesive is applied to at least part of a second planar side of thesheet opposite the second code fields printed on the first side of thesheet. The sheet is scored to define a plurality of sets of elementsremovable from the sheet, including a first element bearing the firstcode field and a second element bearing the second code field. The firstelement of each set of removable element is generally a transaction cardsized element bearing a static graphic field on at least one of theplanar sides of the sheet and the first code field. The second elementof each set bears the second code field of each set on the first planarside of the element and a pressure sensitive adhesive along the secondplanar side of the sheet.

A problem with the system disclosed by Warther et al. is because thereexist a number of sets of transaction cards and second elements persheet, there is still a question of guaranteed number match between thetransaction card and the second element which requires the code of thesecond element to be checked for the same number as the transaction cardbefore attachment to the form.

Kwiatek (U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,610) disclosed a continuous sheet substrateincluding a series of consecutive panels that are separable from oneanother along a horizontal score line positioned between the panels.Each of the panels includes a laminated area covering a minor portion ofthe panel, each laminated area including a layer of release coatingmaterial adhered to a portion of the panel, a layer of pressuresensitive adhesive material adhered to a portion of the layer of releasecoating material, and a thin laminated sheet component adhered to thepressure sensitive adhesive layer and held to the panel by the pressuresensitive adhesive. The panel is also provided with score lines to allowthe thin laminated sheet component, the pressure sensitive adhesivelayer, the release coating layer and the minor portion of the panel tobe removed from the remainder of panel as an integral laminate unit,wherein the minor portion of the panel functions as a releasable linerfor the laminate unit. The releasable liner, when removed, exposes thepressure sensitive adhesive attached to the thin laminated sheetcomponent, allowing adhesion of the thin laminated sheet component toanother object.

An alternative to the above-identified transaction card systems is anormal credit card issuing system, wherein a pre-approved applicationform is transmitted to a targeted group of the population. A personreceiving the pre-approved registration form must complete theregistration form and return it to the promoter. Thus, registration of aholder of the credit card is a multi-step and a lengthy process. Forexample, after mailing the pre-approved registration form, the potentialcard holder must wait for a confirmation letter and the credit card tomailed by the promoter. Also, the process is wasteful in that only asmall percentage of the pre-approved registration forms are returned,the rest being discarded.

It has also been the practice in recent years to provide redeemablecoupons via mass mailing or news carrier services. The purpose of theseredeemable coupons is typically to promote a product and increase sales.The coupons are typically clipped by the targeted population andreturned to the promoter for redemption. A problem with this method ofoffering discounts to potential customers is that the promoter, uponreceiving the redeemed coupon, has no way of matching up each sale tothe coupon which has been redeemed. For example, the promoter typicallyplaces the coupon in a cash drawer and reduces the price of the goods bythe coupon value. In addition, the promoter may have a discrepancybetween the cash collected and the number of transactions recordedresulting from difficulties in accounting for the coupons redeemed.

There has also developed a market for redemption cards, printed withstatic graphic field on a first planar side of the redemption card andwith a plurality of numbers on a second planar side of the redemptioncard. The redemption card is used as a redemption item where the numberson the second planar side of the credit card are removed each time aselected restaurant or establishment is visited, or a discount is givenby the promoter of the card, and the like. The numbers are typicallyremoved either by scratching off the number, erasing the number with anacetate pen, or by punching a hole through the number and the card. Aproblem with such prior art cards is that a utensil is needed toimplement eliminating the number from the back of the card. In addition,some of the methods promote destruction of the card.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to solvingthe problem of the lengthy and multiple step process associated withregistration of holders of cards provided by the prior art system byproviding a method and apparatus for instantly registering a holder ofsuch cards.

In addition, one aspect of the present invention is directed to solvingthe problem of the costs of producing the multiple element sets ofcards, labels and application forms by providing a method of reducingthe number of steps and the costs associated with producing the set.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is directed to solvingthe problem of collecting redeemed coupons and associating the redeemedcoupon with a particular sale by providing a method and apparatus formaking such association.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a transactional controlsystem including a transaction card and a removable and reusable labelhaving a first side suitable for printing with indicia thereon and asecond side having a reusable adhesive layer suitable for affixing thelabel to the transaction card. The label printed with registrationindicia may be removed from the transaction card without leaving residueon the card and may be affixed to a registration form for instanton-site registration of a holder of the card. Alternatively, a labelprinted with a redeemable coupon indicia may be removed from thetransaction card and affixed to a transaction receipt for associating aparticular transaction with a particular redeemable coupon.

Accordingly, a holder of a transaction card and label set may beinstantly registered by providing the holder with the transaction card,the label which is printed with registration indicia affixed to suchtransaction card, and a form suitable for receiving the label, removingthe label from the transaction card and affixing the label to the form.

In addition, a record of a coupon used by a purchaser of goods orservices may be kept, and association of the coupon with a particularsale may be accomplished by providing the purchaser with a promotioncard and a label printed with a redeemable coupon affixed to thepromotion card, removing the label from the promotion card, and affixingthe label to a copy of a receipt.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a redemption card systemincluding a redemption card having two opposing planar sides and aremovable label affixed to either planar side of the redemption card.The label has two planar sides, a first sided printed and scored to formindividually removable labels and a second side with adhesive layerthereon for affixing the label to the redemption card. Accordingly, theindividually removable labels can be removed for redemption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent with reference to the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments as illustrated by the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1a and 1 b depict first and second major planar sides of atransaction card suitable for use as a registration vehicle according tothis invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a registration form for use with the transaction card ofFIGS. 1a and 1 b;

FIG. 3 depicts a promotion card and label assembly suitable for use as apromotional vehicle according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4 b depict first and second planar sides of a promotioncard suitable for use as a promotion vehicle according to an aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a merchant receipt suitable for use with the promotionalvehicles of FIGS. 4 and 5; and

FIGS. 6a and 6 b depict first and second planar sides of a redemptioncard suitable as a redemption vehicle according to another embodiment ofthis invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6 depict a card product in an illustrative embodimentin accordance with an aspect of the present invention indicatedgenerally at 10. The card has two major planar opposing sides 12 and 14.As will be described below, planar sides 12 and 14 form the imprintedsides of the card 10. Either of the sides of the card may be printedwith static promotional graphic fields or personalized graphic fields.

Either planar side of the card can be supplied with at least one label18 affixed to the card, wherein the label has two major planar sides, afirst side suitable for printing with indicia thereon and a second sidecoated with an adhesive layer suitable for affixing to the card and forremoval from the card without leaving a residue on the card. The label18 can be made of paper, plastic or other material.

FIGS. 1a and 1 b illustrate, respectively, the first and second majorplanar sides of a transaction card suitable for use as a registrationvehicle according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1a, there is printed on the first planar side 12 of the transactioncard 10, an identification field 16. The depicted identification fieldis used to identify a promoter offering such card. Letters, numbers, andother symbols are suitable for use in identifying the promoter. Inaddition, either planar side of the card may be printed with staticgraphic fields or personalized.

FIG. 1b illustrates the second major planar side of the transaction cardaccording to an illustrative embodiment in accordance with an aspect ofthe present invention. In FIG. 1b there is printed on the second planarside 14 a registration field 20. The registration field 20 includes analpha numeric registration number 24 and a bar code number 22 forautomatic scanning of the registration field. However, it iscontemplated by the present invention that the registration fields maycomprise alphanumeric numbers, a bar code, letters, symbols, and thelike, and that the registration field may be printed on either planarside of the transaction card or both. In the depicted registration fieldthe registration number has eight digits. However, more or fewer digitsand letters and other symbols are contemplated according to the presentinvention; although it is appreciated that letters and other symbolswill not appear in the bar code format representation. Also, theregistration codes printed on additional transaction cards need not benumerically sequential, merely different.

In FIG. 1b there is also provided a removable and reusable label 18affixed to the second side 14 of the transaction card 10. However, it iscontemplated that the label can be affixed to either planar side of thetransaction card, or multiple labels can be affixed to either or bothsides of the card. The removable and reusable label includes two majorplanar opposing sides. In FIG. 1b a first side of the removable andreusable label is printed with registration indicia corresponding tothat printed in the registration field of the transaction card. However,it is also contemplated that the label may be printed with indicia whichis visibly different than that printed in the registration field of thetransaction card. For example, either the card or label may include barcodes, alphanumeric numbers, letters, symbols, check digits and thelike. The second side of the label is coated with a reusable adhesiveand affixed to the card and may be removed without leaving residue onthe card.

As described above, the prior art method of manufacturing a set oftransaction cards and associated label is a multi-step, labor intensive,and expensive process. In accordance with aspects of the presentinvention, the number of steps and the cost of manufacturing can besignificantly reduced. For example, prior to printing, the label orlabels can be affixed to either planar side of the transaction card andthereafter the labels and transaction card can be printed with theregistration indicia, and personalized graphic fields by a singleprinter. In a specific embodiment of the invention printing of thelabels and cards is accomplished in sequence (i.e. in a single pass). Inaddition, it is contemplated that the label and card can either bepre-printed with static information prior to the printing step orpersonalized at the same time as the printing step. Accordingly, it isan advantage of at least one aspect of the present invention that thetransaction card and associated label sets can be manufactured andprinted in a minimum of non-labor intensive steps since no matching ofregistration indicia on the label to that on the transaction card isrequired. For example in FIG. 4b, there is illustrated a second couponlabel 18 attached to the second planar side of the promotional card. Inaddition, it is an additional advantage that the card need not bemounted on a sheet of paper and thus the cost of the paper and ofmounting the card on the sheet is eliminated.

FIG. 2 illustrates a registration form 26 suitable for use with thetransaction card and label set of FIGS. 1a and 1 b, according to anaspect of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the registration form 26includes an information field 30 to be completed by a holder of thetransaction card and label set. In addition, registration form 26includes a registration label receiving field 28 suitable for affixingthe label 18 printed with the registration indicia 19 thereon. FIG. 2 isa simplified version of a registration form and other registration formscomprising registration label receiving fields and information fieldsare also contemplated by the present invention.

As described above, a problem with the prior art method of registeringholders of transaction cards is that registration is a lengthy andmulti-step process. Accordingly, at least one aspect of the presentinvention is directed to a method and an apparatus for instantlyassociating a registration indicia with a registration form. Theregistration form, without registration indicia, transaction card, orthe label assembly, can be supplied to a prospective customer viatargeted mailing, news services, and the like or handed to a prospectivecustomer at the store. The prospective customer can effect instantregistration at the registration site by handing the completed form to aclerk at the offering store. The clerk may then select a card and labelset, remove the removable and reusable label from the transaction card,affix the label to the registration form, and hand the card to thecustomer. Thus, instant on-site registration of a prospective customeris effected and the registration form with label attached can be sent toa home office for entry into a database, or entered into the databaseon-site at the end of a business day. Therefore, it is an additionaladvantage of at least one aspect of the present invention that thenumber of steps, the time for registration and the possibility of errorassociated with registration of a prospective customer, aresignificantly reduced.

As discussed above, the prior art method of registering a prospectiveholder of a credit card is a lengthy multi-step process. However, inaccordance with a specific embodiment of the present invention, thenumber of steps and the length of the registration process of aprospective credit card customer can be significantly reduced. Forexample, a credit card with the removable and reusable label affixed toeither side of the credit card and printed with a registration indiciathereon, and a registration form may be transmitted to targeted groupsof the population. A potential registrant may then fill out theapplication form at home, remove the label from the credit card, placethe label on the application form, and mail the form to the promoter ofthe card for instant registration.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4a-4 b, there is illustrated a promotional cardand label set suitable for use as a promotional vehicle. In FIG. 3, thelabel 18 is printed with indicia 19 representative of a redeemablecoupon. In FIG. 3, the redeemable coupon label 18 is affixed to thefirst planar side 12 of the transaction card 10. Alternatively,referring to FIG. 4b, the redeemable coupon label 18 can be affixed tothe second major planar side 14 of the transaction card 10. Although itis shown that the redeemable coupon is affixed to either side of thepromotional card, it is contemplated by the present invention that anumber of such coupon labels may be used and affixed to either or bothsides of the promotional card. For example in FIG. 4b, there isillustrated a second coupon label 18′ attached to the second planar sideof the promotional card. Examples of promotional uses for which thepromotional card and label set can be used include frequent flyermembership cards and associated promotions, video membership cards andassociated promotions, preferred customer cards and associatedpromotions, credit cards and associated promotions, and the like. Inaddition, the removable and reusable label can also be used as anenhancement to existing transactional or promotional cards by affixing acoupon label to a card for later redemption. Therefore, the promotionalcard and coupon set can be supplied to potential customers to replaceexisting separately issued coupons which are sent to customers, forexample as is seen in the airline industry with frequency flyerupgrades, car rental discounts, hotel upgrade coupons, and the like.Therefore, an additional advantage of the present invention is that thecosts associated with printing and mailing separate coupons iseliminated.

The promotional card and label set embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3and 4a-4 b can also be used to associate the coupon label with aparticular transaction. In particular, the card and label affixed to thecard, can be provided to a potential customer or the label can beaffixed to an existing card of a current holder for redemption. A holderof such card can present the card, at the time of purchase, wherein thelabel can be removed from the card and affixed to a copy of a receipt ofthe transaction.

FIG. 5 illustrates a receipt form 32 suitable for use with thepromotional card and label set of FIGS. 3 and 4, according to aspects ofthe present invention. In FIG. 5, the receipt form 30 includes adescription field 34 for describing the items purchased by a holder ofthe promotional card. In addition, receipt form 32 includes a couponlabel receiving field 36 suitable for affixing the coupon label 18printed with the coupon indicia 19 to the receipt form 32. In addition,receipt form 32 may include a graphic field 38 for printing with thestore's logo, title, and the like; a purchase price field 40 forsummarizing the individual price of each item purchased and the totalpurchase price; and a signature field for a signature of the customer.Although FIG. 5 is a simplified version of a receipt form 32, otherreceipt forms comprising at least description fields and coupon labelreceiving fields are also contemplated by the present invention.

Accordingly, an advantage of at least one aspect of the presentinvention is that a coupon can be associated with a particulartransaction. In addition, the promoter will have a record of cashcollected and the discount given as a result of redemption of thecoupon. Furthermore, the coupon has a sticky backing which is suitablefor attachment to the transaction receipt but without the handlingproblems associated with prior art methods.

FIGS. 6a and 6 b illustrate, respectively, the first and second majorplanar sides of a redemption card suitable for use as a redemptionvehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 6a, there is printed on the first planar side 12 of the redemptioncard 10, an identification field 16 which may be a graphic field, astore name, a company logo, and the like. The depicted identificationfield is used to identify the offeror of such promotional vehicle.Letters, numbers, and other symbols suitable for identifying the offerorof the card are contemplated by the present invention. In addition, thecard may be printed with a static graphic field before a time ofprinting of the card and label set or may be personalized with theidentification field at the time of printing.

FIG. 6b illustrates the second major planar side of the promotional cardaccording to a specific embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6bthere is attached on the second planar side 14 of the promotional card10 a multi-segment label assembly 18. The multi-segment label assemblyincludes a first side printed with a plurality of numbers, letters,coupons and the like which are scored by vertical score lines 48 andhorizontal score lines 50 to provide a plurality of removable andreusable segments 46. Although it is depicted that the multi-segmentlabel assembly is attached to the second planar side of the promotionalcard in FIG. 6b, it is contemplated that the promotional card maycomprise one or more multi-segment labels affixed to either or both thefirst and second planar sides of the promotional card 10. In addition,it is contemplated that each segment may be printed with indicia whichis identical, different, sequential, non-sequential, and the like.

As discussed above, the prior art method of supplying a similarredemption card with numbers for removal by an offerer of the redemptioncard, has the problems that a utensil is needed to remove the numbersfrom the card and for some embodiments, the card is destructed byremoving the numbers by punching a hole through the card. Accordingly,it is an advantage of at least one aspect of the present invention thatthe individual segments 46 of the multi-segment label 44 may be removedsimply peeling an individual segment 46 from the card without the use ofa utensil or without destroying the card. The segment 46 can thereforesimply be thrown away or attached to a receipt document.

Having now described the foregoing embodiments of the invention, itshould be clear to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merelyillustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of exampleonly. Numerous other embodiments are within the scope of one of theordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as falling within thescope of the invention as defined by the claims and equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for matching a transaction with anissuee of a transaction card, comprising: providing a transaction cardassembly from a plurality of individuated, non-interconnectedtransaction card assemblies, the transaction card assembly including atransaction card and a removable element, the transaction card includingan identifier non-removably associated with the transaction card that isunique to the transaction card assembly and distinguishes thetransaction card assembly from other transaction card assemblies in theplurality of transaction card assemblies, the removable element beingphysically associated with the transaction card assembly so that theremovable element moves with the transaction card assembly, theremovable element including indicia that corresponds to the identifieron the transaction card and is adapted to be used to uniquely identifythe transaction card; removing the removable element from thetransaction card assembly; and providing the transaction card to theissuee.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing theremovable element comprises removing a label from the transaction cardassembly.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier represents analphanumeric code associated with the transaction card assembly.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the identifier is encoded in a magnetic stripon the transaction card.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein theidentifier is encoded in a barcode on the transaction card.
 6. A methodfor providing a plurality of transaction card assemblies used inmatching a transaction with an issuee of a transaction card, comprising:providing a plurality of individuated, non-interconnected transactioncard assemblies, each transaction card assembly including a transactioncard and a removable element, the transaction card including anidentifier non-removably associated with the transaction card that isunique to the transaction card assembly and distinguishes thetransaction card assembly from other transaction card assemblies in theplurality of transaction card assemblies, the removable element beingphysically associated with the transaction card assembly so that theremovable element moves with the transaction card assembly untilremoved; and providing indicia on the removable element that correspondsto the identifier on the transaction card and is adapted to be used touniquely identify the transaction card.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the step of providing a plurality of individuated,non-interconnected transaction card assemblies comprises: adhering alabel to the transaction card assembly.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the step of providing indicia on the removable elementcomprises: printing the indicia on the label.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein the identifier represents an alphanumeric code associated withthe transaction card assembly.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein theidentifier is encoded in a magnetic strip on the transaction card. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the identifier is encoded in a barcode onthe transaction card.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein the step ofproviding indicia on the removable element comprises: forming theindicia on the removable element while the removable element isphysically associated with the transaction card assembly.
 13. The methodof claim 6, wherein the removable element comprises a label physicallyassociated with the transaction card assembly, and the step of providingindicia on the removable element comprises: printing the indicia on thelabel while the label is physically associated with the transaction cardassembly.
 14. A card system comprising: a plurality of individuated,non-interconnected transaction card assemblies, each transaction cardassembly including: a transaction card having an identifiernon-removably attached to the transaction card that is unique to thetransaction card assembly and distinguishes the transaction cardassembly from other transaction card assemblies in the plurality oftransaction card assemblies, and a separable element physicallyassociated with the transaction card assembly so that the separableelement moves with the transaction card assembly until separated fromthe transaction card assembly, the separable element including indiciathat corresponds to the identifier on the transaction card and isadapted to be used to uniquely identify the transaction card.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the separable element includes a label withan adhesive backing.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the identifierrepresents an alphanumeric code associated with the transaction cardassembly.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the identifier is encodedin a magnetic strip on the transaction card.
 18. The system of claim 16,wherein the identifier is encoded in a barcode on the transaction card.19. A card system comprising: a plurality of individuated,non-interconnected transaction card assemblies, each transaction cardassembly including: transaction card having an identifier non-removablyattached to the transaction card that is unique to the transaction cardassembly and distinguishes the transaction card assembly from othertransaction card assemblies in the plurality of transaction cardassemblies, and a label having an adhesive backing physically associatedwith the transaction card assembly so that the label moves with thetransaction card assembly until separated from the transaction cardassembly, the label including indicia that corresponds to the identifieron the transaction card and is adapted to be used to uniquely identifythe transaction card.
 20. A method for providing a plurality oftransaction card assemblies used in matching a transaction with anissuee of a transaction card, comprising: providing a plurality ofindividuated, non-interconnected transaction card assemblies, eachtransaction card assembly including a transaction card; forming anidentifier non-removably associated with each transaction card for eachtransaction card assembly that is unique to the transaction cardassembly and distinguishes the transaction card assembly from othertransaction card assemblies in the plurality of transaction cardassemblies; and providing indicia on a label physically associated withthe transaction card assembly that corresponds to the identifier on thetransaction card and is adapted to be used to uniquely identify thetransaction card.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:attaching a blank label to the transaction card assembly; and the stepof providing indicia comprises: printing the indicia on the blank labelwhile the blank label is attached to the transaction card assembly. 22.The method of claim 20, wherein the step of providing indicia on a labelcomprises: providing a label that is attached to the transaction cardassembly and adapted to be removed from the transaction card assembly.